Gio Platon did his Muay Thai Kickboxing Vancouver debut on Friday night and won by 3rd Round TKO at the Fraserview Hall. He fought a tough, well conditioned, well schooled opponent. Both fighters had good skill and toughness. Gio went to southpaw stance in the 3rd round and unleashed a number of punches that staggered his opponent and put him on the ground. The ref stopped the fight after the opponent hit the canvas. It was a good experience for Gio and he was excited to compete in Muay Thai for the first time. He has done a couple of Sanshou tournaments in the past and he has a goal of also doing MMA.

Muay Thai Kickboxing Vancouver

Here is what Gio said about his fight:

Finally got a chance to step in the ring and I loved it. I’ve still got a lot to learn In there but I’m willing to put in the hard work and dedication for some thing that I’m passionate about. I will always love to compete, I’m a competitor no matter what. Thanks to my family and friends that supported me ! You guys made my night even more memorable !

Here is a brief description of the two programs and their differences:

Muay Thai Kickboxing:

Our traditional Muay Thai Kickboxing Vancouver program develops the main benefits of Self Defense, Fitness, Mental Discipline and Sport. Our Muay Thai Kickboxing Vancouver program utilizes techniques and principles from the Thai tradition, Dutch Kickboxing methods, Japanese methods and principles, and concepts and techniques from Western Boxing. Our style, which has been taught by Simon Posener, who has been training for almost 35 years and teaching full time for 25 years, is constantly evolving and improving, as that is our original goal. The desire to grow, evolve and improve is constant. The instructors are experienced, personable, knowledgeable and have a passion for teaching the art and improving teaching methods and techniques. We have a long history of producing excellent mixed martial artists and champions of Muay Thai Kickboxing and Pankration / MMA.

One of the main differences between the Muay Thai Kickboxing Vancouver program and the Cardio Muay Thai Kickboxing Vancouver program is the application of progressive levels of contact sparring, which occurs in the traditional class. Stylistically, the classes are similar. The traditional Muay Thai class is Fitness and Combat intensive. The Cardio Muay Thai Kickboxing class is more Fitness and technique intensive and less sparring intensive.

In the Traditional class once a student learns the A,B,C’s of defense, which are the basic defenses from the main strikes used in Muay Thai, which are very important for developing confidence, the basic footwork patterns, and the execution of the basic strikes and clinches, a student will learn progressive levels of contact sparring. Sparring is a requirement for progress in the system. At the beginning levels the sparring is light to medium contact and at the advanced levels a student will participate in full contact, full Muay Thai sparring. Individual differences are considered in the timing and onset of sparring. Progress is also based on the individual, as everyone is unique in their goals and challenges, and they are compared to their own progress. Once a student is comfortable with the basics and has a desire to spar, with instructor approval, a graduated method will be started. The benefits of sparring are many. A student will learn to handle pressure of various types, develop physical and mental discipline, and get a great workout. The pressure from contact sparring is also very important in application of self defense techniques, which are also a part of the curriculum. Self defense applications are taught within the classes and other classes within the school. Also, the Muay Thai sparring will benefit the competitive aspect of Muay Thai Kickboxing, Western Kickboxing, Shootboxing, Sanshou and Pankration/MMA.

Our goal in the training is to develop the technique and spirit of the art to the highest level, build camaraderie, and develop a student’s full, balanced, personal potential.

The Cardio Muay Thai Kickboxing Vancouver program develops the main benefits of Self Defense, Fitness and Mental Discipline. This program is stylistically the same as the traditional Muay Thai Kickboxing class but does not have the goal of hard contact sparring or direct Sport application. However, many of the competitors and students who participate in the traditional Muay Thai Kickboxing program also participate in the Cardio Muay Thai Kickboxing class because it is an excellent workout and will, without question, improve fitness levels and will provide an opportunity for further skill development. The classes are less formal, done to music, and do not have the pressure of full contact sparring. It is a focused class with the goal of developing skills and peak fitness levels. Advancement in the program is based on a progressive 10 level system. Students advance in the curriculum based on attendance, which is the most important aspect especially within the beginning levels, skill development, and personal fitness level improvements. The advancement of the student is based on their own progress, as everyone has unique challenges and goals.

The classes are a high energy explosive workout. The training will develop cardio vascular fitness, aerobic and anaerobic, muscular strength and muscular endurance, flexibility, burn fat, and improve energy levels. There will not be contact free sparring. We will, however, utilize: sharp shooting techniques, which are non contact, one step sparring, interactive drills and, for more advanced students, semi-free sparring. There is also a self defense component taught specifically, which includes self defense applications of Muay Thai Kickboxing and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.

There are many goals which can be obtained in the Cardio Muay Thai Kickboxing Vancouver classes. We emphasize an effective workout utilizing Muay Thai Kickboxing techniques to get the student in the best shape they can. We also provide free nutritional counselling, upon request, and provide diet tips to teach the relationship of a healthy lifestyle and diet on mental and physical fitness levels. As we work together in the class in a spirit of growth and progress, the goal is to make progress on many levels, get results, have fun and make friends.